Monday, November 30 2009

THE TRINIDAD Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) yesterday extended their congratulations to West Indies opening batsman Adrian Barath for his record breaking knock against Australia in the First Test against Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane.

Barath, 19, became the youngest West Indian batsman to score a century on debut breaking the 79-year old record held by batting legend George Headley.

His second innings knock of 104 from 138 balls which included 19 boundaries was the only high point for the West Indies team in the first Test which lost by an innings and 65 runs.

Barath whose career has been guided at First Citizens Clarke Road by former Trinidad and Tobago player, Roland Sampath and club president, Baldath Mahabir joins elite West Indies players such as Lawrence Rowe, Alvin Kallicharan and Gordon Greenidge to achieve the monumental feat.

The TTCB stated in a press release yesterday that the achievement of Barath has made the nation very proud and urged him to remain focused and continue his exploits at the highest level.

Barath became the second player from Trinidad and Tobago to make a century on Test debut since Andy Ganteaume who did so against England at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain in 1948.

TTCB president, Azim Bassarath said on Saturday that he was not shocked that Barath scored a century on Test debut against a strong Aussie bowling attack.

“Knowing his ability and the way he plays hard it came as no surprise he scored a century. He has the will to do well and is always in training. When there was no cricket he had youth pacer Teshawn Castro bowling to him in the nets. I must congratulate him and I know this will be a trend for the future and I hopes he continue to do well,” said Bassarath.

He added that the first time he saw Barath play was six years ago in a British Gas Under-15 Inter Zone match between Central and South at Wilson Road in Penal.

“When I saw him I realised he has a bright future ahead of him. It was no surprised that he made the national and West Indies teams at such a young age. He has played very well at the regional level and it is impressive to see that he grabbed his opportunity against the Australians,” said Bassarath.